The AFL season is looming and we take a look at the best futures bets for the 2025 season including the $26 value pick for the flag and the team that the market is vastly overrating.
Best Bet
It’s near inconceivable that Geelong won’t be there when the whips are cracking. Last year’s campaign very nearly ended in a Grand Final (which they likely would have won) and while Cats have lost veterans Tom Hawkins and Zach Tuohy, but neither was a likely best 23 inclusion this year. Bailey Smith is a potential wildcard – if ‘Bazlenka’ can find some of his best form, he is just what the Cats need in the middle. Under Chris Scott, the Cats have been up there every year, expect them to be so again.
Next Best
Sydney were obliterated in the Grand Final last year and the recent track record of losing Grand Finalists is not good. While the Lions managed to recover last year, the Swans missed the finals after losing in 2022, as did the Dogs after the 2021 decider. With possible unrest from potential exits, and the uncertainty around a coaching change to Dean Cox, it wouldn’t surprise to see the Swans take a step back in 2025.
Miss Top 8
It is flat out ludicrous that the Hawks are near flag favourites. Yes they had a fantastic finish to the 2024 season, but they also had a very easy finish to the season. On paper they have made a number of good additions to the list, but the perception that the ’24 Hawks side was particularly young is just not true. In that final, Port gave away both age and experience. Sell the hype.
Best Value
Off the back of one poor season, the betting markets appear to have written off this era of Demons football. Yes, the Dees fell away dramatically in the second half but they were in the Top 4 after Round 11 last year. Christian Petracca missed the second half of the year. Clayton Oliver never got going. It was a write off. The Dees issues in attack are a perennial worry but they have had a much quieter off season, talented young players and plenty of quality veterans. Big overs for flag, Top 4 and Top 8 markets.
